Christian rap is attracting teens to the church

Young artists hope to bring positive message to peers with modern-day styles

MORGANNE CAMERON, Westbury High School

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Imagine a place where Jesus is the hype man, the pastor is the rapper, the church house is the recording studio, and the lyrical flows and rhymes are transformed into a motivational, yet catchy testimonial rap.

Holy hip-hop, also known as Christian rap, has made its way into the church and is attracting youth with its modern-day worship styles.

Christian rap has evolved all over the airwaves. National artists such as Tye Tribett and Kirk Franklin thrill audiences with their rhythmic rhymes and energy.

Some Houston-area teens also are making Christian rap a top priority.

Josh Washington, also known as "JWash the psalmeness," is a local teen Christian rapper whose goals are to write music that edifies God and rap about his personal testimony.

"I always wanted to be a rapper," says Washington. "I was raised in the church and I wanted to rap about positive things. In the world of secular music, each and every artist talks about different cars, money, or girls, which to me is all the same thing. In Christian rap, it's a different experience, different person, different testimony, but yet it's edifying one God."

Some critics denounce hip-hop music in the church.

Writer Carl A. Patton took on the subject in a 2000 article in Freedom Journal titled, "What is so-called Hip-Hop music, and Christian Rap?"

He wrote, "We cannot relate Gospel music to rap and the ungodly, contemporary Gospel."

Different views

Theola Booker, first lady of Greater St. Matthew (GSM)
Baptist Church
, however, said, "Many years ago, the gospel music that is sung in many churches today met the same fate that the gospel rap is facing. Many churches were ostracized and demonized because of the type of gospel music that ministers were permitting to be performed in their churches.

"In the earlier years of GSM, when Rev. Booker permitted drums and guitars into GSM as the Young Adult Choir ministered, many churches and pastors considered GSM on the road to hell. Now, every church is requesting at least one drummer and a guitar player."

What about people who oppose Christian rap into the churches?

"People who oppose hip-hop rap are being controlling and limiting God. We are servants of God, not just on Sundays but all the time," said Cheryl Pleasant, member of Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church.

"If it's a diverse congregation (and) most of the time there are people of all ages in the audience, then there should be diverse music. If Christian rap is an expression to praise God, then it's fine. We have personal freedom and shouldn't put a limit on how to praise God," she said.

Relating to youth

Jerome Bailey
, 16, a rapper who is part of the group Kingdom Come, said, "Rap isn't the only way to attract youth to the church, but since rap is such a big part of the population and community it seems (to be) the best way to relate to youth. I believe that if done right, and to the point where it is 'cool' among peers, then kids can branch in and accept the music and possibly change their lives."

At Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, 14919 South Main, there is an annual Holy Hip-Hop night where youth can come and be entertained with Christian rap music, praise dancing, miming, and hip hop poetry.

"Hip-hop is allowed in Greater St. Matthew because the performers have a message, hope, faith and especially a testimony of the Goodness of God," said pastor Gusta Booker.

Bailey said he hoped that "as time goes on, Christian rap will attract a bigger audience and can steer more people to Christ and save more souls."